Colonic irrigation apparatus



E. M. DE BERRI COLONIC IRRIGATION APPARATUS April 10, 1934.

, Filed Jan. 22, 1932 3 Sheets-Sheet l r v A ill Irffllrlllllllllllll; rill!!! M ATTORNEY April 10, 1934. E, M. DE BERRI COLONIC IRRIGATION APPARATUS s sheets-sheet 2 Filed Jan. 22, 1932 INV TOR April 10, 1934.

E. M. DE BERRI 1,954,120

COLONIC IRRIGATION APPARATUS Filed Jan. 22. 1932 s Sheets-Sheet 3 22W 7 70 INVE TOR ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 10, 1934 SATES PATENT OFFICE COLONIC IRRIGATION APPARATUS Edmond M. ole Berri, New York, N. Y.

Application January 22, 1932, Serial No. 588,113

Claims.

The invention will be fully understood from the following description read in conjunction with the drawings, in which,

. Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a preferred embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a section through the construction shown in Fig. 1, on the horizontal plane indicated by II.

Fig. 3 is a vertical elevation through part oi Fig. 4 is a horizontal section through the construction shown in Fig. 3, on the plane indicated by IIIIII.

. Fig. 5 is a side elevation with parts in section through part of the construction shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a vertical section through the construction shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a detailed perspective view of a part of .the construction shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a horizontal section through a type of valve which I have invented. for use in colonic irrigation apparatus.

Fig. 9 is a side view of the said valve.

Fig. 10 is a vertical section through the said 'part only in Fig. 1. r

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of a part of the construction shown in Fig. 3, and r Fig. is a vertical section through the construction shown in Fig. 3, on the plane lV-1V.

Referring specifically to Fig. 1, the table 1 comprises the frame 2, supported by the legs 3, provided with rolling means 4. The table top 5 is formed of the cushions 6 and '7 The head rest 8 .may also be provided as shown in side View in Fig. 13. The cushion '7 is connected by a suitable hinge so that it may be laid flat upon the table top, or alternatively swung to the position indicated in Fig. 7. Referring to Fig. '7, the frame 2 will be seen to consist in part of the angle irons 10, 11 and 12 which carry the stirrup brackets 13 and 14 adjacent one end of the table. The brackets in turn carry the stirrups 15 and 16. Adjacent the end of the table there is provided the apertured seat 21, shown in part in Fig. 7. The cushion '7 in horizontal position overlays and hides the apertured seat 21. The table, cushions and seat constitute a separate movable unit so that the table conveys no suggestion of surgical or colonic apparatus. Inuse, the table will ordh narily be kept in a room which is free of such apparatus; the patient will be asked to recline upon the table, and when everything is in readiness, the table will be moved into juxtaposition to the remainder of the apparatus. When the table has been placed in juxtaposition to the remainder of the apparatus, the cushion 7 will be moved to the position illustrated in Fig. '7. For certain purposes, and during certain positions of the patient, the stirrups 15 and 16 will be found distinctly advantageous.

As illustrated in Fig. 3, the remainder of the apparatus constitutes a separate unit. which may also be movable, per se, but is preferably fixed in position. This comprises the upright standard 30, formed of the channel irons 31 and 32, which. terminate in the feet 33 and 34. The reservoir 35 is supported fromthe standard by means or the ring 36 which appears in detail in Fig. 4. The reservoir is preferably a large glass flask, so that the liquid level and appearance of the contents of the flask may be easily observed. As is apparent from Fig. 1, the flask 35 is supported at a point substantially higher than the tabletop in order to provide the hydrostatic head necessary for colonic irrigation.

Referring again to Fig. 3, the fluid (ordinarily water) to be charged to the flask 35 is introduced through the pipe 36, controlled by the valve 37 which is in series with the small tank 38. Ordinarily one pipe, such as 36, is provided for the admission of cold water, and a. second pipe, such as 39, controlled by valve 40 is similarly provided for the admission of hot water. The tank 38 functions to mix the two, and the temperature may be determined by means of the thermometer 41. Additional thermometers may, of course, be provided in the tank 35, and an electric heater, preferably of the immersion type, may also be utilized to hold the contents of the reservoir 35 at any desired temperature.

The small tank 38 is detailed in Figs. 5 and 6. The wall or exterior of the tank defines an orifice 42, normally sealed by the removable plug 43. Medicament to be incorporated with the fluid in reservoir 35 may be introduced through the oridoc 42 which is then sealed by positioning the plug 43, and this medicament will be thoroughly mixed with the water or other fluid flowing through the tank 38 into the reservoir 35. When the reservoir 35 is filled, the valves 37 and 40 are closed and the fluid may be withdrawn for use through the pipe 50, controlled by the valve 51. The pipe discharges through the tube 52 to any suitable valving apparatus adapted to control flow to any suitable colonic tube. Channel rails -92 and 93.

31 and 32 also carry the projecting brackets 43 and 44 which support the basin 45. The basin i5 is connected to the drain 46 which is ordinarily connected into the usual sewage system. Referring to Fig. 1, water for flushing may be supplied to the bowl 45 from the pipe 36 by means of the side arm 53, controlled by the valve 54, discharging against the annular deflector 55. It will be seen from the foregoing, that when the table 5 is in juxtaposition to the standard 30, the basin 45 registers with the aperture 21' in the seat 21. For this purpose, either the end or the side of the table may be brought into juxtaposition to the standard 30. The precise arrangement will depend upon the arrangement of the room and the character of the operations to be performed upon the patient. In order to prevent injury to the patient as a result of accidental movement of the bed relative to the standard, I preferably incorporate some means for latching the two together. Referring to Fig. 3, this may consist of L shaped member 60 (shown in perspective in Fig. 14) provided with the pin 61 adapted to reciprocate vertically in the slot 62. When the table and standard are brought together, the member 60 is lifted and then dropped into position, spanning the angle irons 62 carried by the upright members 31 and 32, as well as the angle iron 11 which is a part of the table. This arrangement appears in vertical section in Fig. 15.

Figs. 8 to 12 inclusive illustrate a new type of control mechanism for regulating flow to and from the colonic tube. The valve '79 is carried by the bracket 71 which slides along the bar 72 ,(Fig. 12) carried by the angle iron 10 which is a part of the frame of the table 5. The valve may be easily detached by simply sliding the bracket '70 off the end of the bar 72. This control mechanism comprises a cut off valve 73. '74 is the .valve inlet which may be connected directly or -movement in the cylinder 80 covers and uncovers the outlet 82. The outlet 83 communicating with the space between the two pistons is connected directly or indirectly to the colonic tube. The

pistons and 82 are immobilized with respect to each other by means of the rod 84 so that they move in unison. When the pistons are in the position shown in Fig. 8, flow of liquid from the reservoir 35 through the pipe 50 and the tube 52 (Fig. 3) enters the inlet 74 (Fig. 8) and passes through the outlet 83 to the colonic tube. In-

asmuch as the piston 81 is of greater diameter than the piston 76, the hydrostatic pressure tends to move the pistons to a position in which the inlet '74 will be covered by piston '76, and the outlet 82 will be uncovered by piston 81. This movement of the pistons is, however, prevented by means of a suitable detent until the hydrostatic pressure on the colonic tube has reached a certain point. As illustrated in Fig. 9, this detent -may consist merely of toggle-joints such as 90 and 91 which in extended position operate to hold the pistons in the position shown in the figure. The toggle-joints are normally held in the position illustrated by means of the springs Owing to the construction and arrangement of the toggle-joint, the maximum resistance to movement of the piston occurs when the toggle-joint is in the position shown in Fig. 8.

When, however, the hydrostatic pressure on piston 81 has reached such a point as to overcome the resistance of the toggle-joints, the pistons 76 and 81 will move to positions in which '76 covers the inlet 74 and 81 uncovers the outlet 82. Flow will then take place in the reverse direction from the tube through 83, discharging through the outlet 82 to any suitable basin such as 45 shown in Fig. 1. The resistance of the togglejoint is at a minimum with the pistons in this position and it cannot, therefore, return the pistons to the original position until the hydrostatic pressure on the colonic tube and cylinder '76 has fallen to a predetermined minimum, depending upon the characteristics of the togglejoints and the adjustment of the springs 92 and 93. I may also provide a detent of the type shown in Figs. 9 to 11 inclusive consisting of the bar 108, carried by the lug 101 and pivotally attached thereto by the pin 102. This rod is normally held in the position shown in Figs. 9 and 10 by of the weight 103. The rod 102 is formed in two bifurcations 104 and 105, the lower extremity 106 of which is bridged by the cross-bar 107 (Fig. 11) which normally engages the end 110 cf the rod 84. The piston 111 is slidable in the cylinder 112 (Fig. 10). It is normally prevented from moving by means of the weight 103, but when the hydrostatic pressure on the head 113 of the piston 112 reaches a predetermined figure, the bar 102 tips thereby releasing the rod 84 permitting the pistons 76 and 81 to move to position di charging the colonic tube. The degree of hydrostatic pressure necessary to trip the bar 102 may be determined by adjusting the position of the weight 103. When the hydrostatic pressure drops and the pistons return to the position illustrated in Fig. 8, the bar 102 returns to its original position and operates as a detent until again released by the accumulation of hydrostatic pressure.

By means of the valve illustrated, the operation of the apparatus can be made entirely automatic. The valve can be adjusted to a point at which no discomfort is experienced and the necessity for an experienced attendant is obviated.

The foregoing description is for purposes of illustration and it is therefore my intention that the invention be limited only by the appended claims or their equivalents wherein I have endeavored to claim broadly all inherent novelty.

I claim:

1. Colonic irrigation apparatus, comprising a cut off valve, including an inlet thereto, an outlet therefrom, a duct connected to said inlet, means for supplying fluid under pressure to said duct, a colonic tube connected to said outlet, a discharge valve connected intermediate said out off valve and colonic tube, and means responsive to hydrostatic pressure in said colonic tube, adapted to move said cut oil" valve to on? position and to open the said discharge valve whenever the said hydrostatic pressure reaches a predetermined maximum.

2. Colonic irrigation apparatus, comprising a cut off valve, including an inlet thereto, an outlet therefrom, a duct connected to the said inlet, means for supplying a fluid under pressure to said duct, a colonic tube connected to said outlet, a discharge valve connected intermediate to said out off valve and colonic tube, and means responsive to hydrostatic pressure in said colonic tube, adapted to move said out 01f valve to off position and to open the said discharge valve whenever the said hydrostatic pressure reaches a predetermined maximum, and means responsive to hydrostatic pressure in said colonic tube for returning said colonic tube to on position and closing said discharge valve when all the said hydrostatic pressure reaches a predetermined minimum.

3. Colonic irrigation apparatus, comprising a first cylinder, an inlet connected to the wall of said cylinder, a duct connected to the inlet, means for supplying a fiuid under pressure to said duct, a piston slidable in said cylinder to cover and uncover the said inlet, a first outlet from said cylinder, a colonic tube connected to said first outlet, a second cylinder of greater bore than said first cylinder in communication with said first cylinder, a second outlet connected to the Wall of said second cylinder, a second piston slidable in said second cylinder tocover and uncover said outlet, a rod immobilizing said first and second pistons relatively to each other, adapted to hold said first piston in position, uncovering the said inlet while said second piston is in a position covering the said second outlet, and conversely holding said first piston in position, covering the said inlet while the said second piston is in position, uncovering the said second outlet, a detent adapted to hold said first and second pistons in the position first mentioned, said detent being releasable by the accumulation of hydrostatic pressure within the said cylinders.

4. Colonic irrigation apparatus, comprising a first cylinder, an inlet connected to the wall of said cylinder, a duct connected to the said inlet, means for supplying a fluid under pressure to said duct, a piston slidable in said cylinder to cover and uncover the said inlet, a first outlet from said cylinder, a colonic tube connected to said first outlet, a second cylinder of greater bore than said first cylinder in communication with said first cylinder, a second outlet connected to the wall 01 said second cylinder, a second piston slidable in said second cylinder to cover and uncover said outlet, a rod immobilizing said first and second pistons relatively to each other, adapted to hold said first piston in position, uncovering the said inlet while said second piston is in a position covering the said second outlet, and conversely holding said first piston in position, covering the said inlet while the said second piston is in position, uncovering the said second outlet, a detent adapted to hold said first and second pistons in the position last mentioned, said detent being releasable by the accumulation of hydrostatic pressure within the said cylinders, and means for returning said first and second pistons to the first mentioned position whenever the hydrostatic pressure within said cylinders reaches a predetermined minimum.

5. Colonic irrigation apparatus, comprising a first cylinder, an inlet connected to the wall of said cylinder, a duct connected to the said inlet, means for supplying a fluid under pressure to said duct, a piston slidable in said cylinder to cover and uncover the said inlet, a first outlet from said cylinder, a colonic tube connected to said first outlet, a second cylinder of greater bore than said first cylinder in communication with said first cylinder, a second outlet connected to the wall of said second cylinder, a second piston slidable in said second cylinder to cover and uncover said outlet, a rod immobilizing said first and second pistons relatively to each other, adapted to hold 135 said first piston in position, uncovering the said inlet while said second piston is in a position covering the said second outlet, and conversely holding said first piston in position, covering the said inlet while the said second piston is in position, uncovering the said second outlet, a toggle-joint connected to the said rod, said toggle-joint being extended when first and second pistons are in the first mentioned position, and a spring urging said toggle-joint to extend in position.

EDMOND M. on BERRI. 

